Q & A: Baritone Roderick Williams On His Forthcoming Recital At The Music At Paxton Festival & Woking With The Innovative Composer Michel van der Aa

(Photo: Theo Williams) In July, Paxton House will host the 2026 edition of its festival dedicated to chamber music in all its forms, including solo recitals and small ensembles of instrumental and vocal music from the classical repertoire spanning across the centuries. Yet it is far more than a specialist classical music festival; there are also many cross-over events, including {…}

May 8, 2026

Q & A: Jordan Best & Lori Schulman on the Santa Cruz Opera Project

(Photos: courtesy of the artists) Chamber opera is growing in appeal. Not only with composers, such as Missy Mizzoli and Nico Muhly, but also with producers such as Pocket Opera and West Edge Opera looking for small and untraditional venues in which to present their work. Minimalist opera in small halls invariably attracts new, young, inquiring audiences and companies such {…}

Apr 30, 2026

Q&A: Will Liverman on ‘Factotum: The Groom & Glow Lounge’ at Governor’s School for the Arts

(Photo credit: GSA) Will Liverman is one of the great baritones of his time performing at the Metropolitan Opera, Seattle Opera, Atlanta Opera, Minnesota Opera, Tulsa Opera, and Santa Fe Opera. In the midst of his run as Figaro in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” at Houston Grand Opera, Will Liverman took time to talk with OperaWire about “Factotum: The {…}

Apr 30, 2026

Q & A: Alessandra di Giorgio on the Importance of Drawing From Personal Experiences That Give Depth to Her Work

Alessandra di Giorgio is a critically acclaimed soprano spinto whose rich vocal timbre and dramatic intensity have already earned her a place on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Her repertoire spans some of the most demanding soprano roles in the operatic canon, including Amelia (“Un Ballo in Maschera”), Giulietta (“Les Contes d’Hoffmann”), Manon (“Manon Lescaut”), Brünnhilde (“Siegfried”), Lady {…}

Apr 25, 2026

Q & A: Shepherd School of Music on Staging Verdi’s ‘Falstaff’ and Supporting the Future of Opera

On April 17, 2026, the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University raised the curtain on their mainstage production of Verdi’s comedic opus, “Falstaff.” Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the school has grown from its inception as Rice’s music department through the support of community partnerships and donors, and has developed into a vibrant and effective center of musical education and {…}

Apr 22, 2026

Q & A: Barbara Hannigan on Performing with the New York Philharmonic & ‘La Voix Humaine’

Barbara Hannigan is one of the most unique artists in the opera world. Not only is she a leading soprano, but she also one of the leading conductors in the industry. Her versatile artistry has allowed her to develop, over the past three decades, major artistic partnerships with the world’s foremost musicians, composers, directors, choreographers, and ensembles. Among those collaborators {…}

Apr 18, 2026

Q & A: Tenor Benjamin Bernheim on Lincoln Center Recital, Verdi Requiem Tour & Future Projects

(Photo Credit: Julia Wesely) On April 21, Benjamin Bernheim makes his return to New York City. The famed tenor, who last performed in the Big Apple in the September 2024 production of “Les Contes d’Hoffmann,” will take to the stage at Alice Tully Hall alongside long-time collaborator Carrie-Ann Matheson to present a recital program featuring works by Duparc, Tchaikovsky, Bizet, {…}

Apr 13, 2026

Q & A: Richard Hamrin on Balancing Opera & Musical Theatre

Richard Hamrin is currently one of Sweden’s most versatile and sought-after baritones. He has built a career that range spans the full lyric baritone repertoire and large-scale musical theatre. In 2024, he garnered acclaimed for his portrayal of Jasper in “Arv” at Kungliga Dramatiska Teatern in Stockholm and as Sigismund in “Vita Hästen” at Folkoperan. He has also portrayed King {…}

Apr 6, 2026

Q & A: Soprano Amy Broadbent on Being a Multifaceted Musician

Soprano Amy Broadbent is a founding member of the vocal quartet The Polyphonists. She has performed in ensembles including The Crossing, Seraphic Fire, True Concord, The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, and the Choir of the Basilica. The Washington Bach Consort will be presenting Bach’s “Mass in B Minor” at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, {…}

Mar 31, 2026

Q & A: Il Volo on Bringing Italy to North America

(Photo credit: Mario Cervantes) The opera pop trio, Il Volo got their start 15 years ago in the Eurovision competition. Today, the group featuring Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble, have nearly one million followers on Instagram, over two million subscribers on YouTube, and over three million likes on TikTok. Last year alone, Il Volo performed in Rome for {…}

Mar 26, 2026

Q & A: Iestyn Davies on Britten’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream, ‘ Dostoevsky & Timothée Chalamet

(Credit: Ben Ealovega) Few countertenors today command the international stage with the authority and musical intelligence of Iestyn Davies. Renowned for his interpretations of Baroque repertoire as well as his compelling performances in 20th-century opera, Davies has become one of the defining voices of his generation. During his recent return to Teatro Real in Madrid to perform Oberon in “A {…}

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